Titans outside linebacker Kevin Dodd returned to the team for mandatory minicamp after skipping three weeks of voluntary practices.

Jason Wolf, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Taylor Lewan is sending a message: He wants a new contract, and he's done playing nice.

The Titans' two-time Pro Bowl left tackle, entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, is not participating in the team's mandatory three-day minicamp, which began Tuesday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

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Titans general manager Jon Robinson said the team has been working to negotiate a long-term deal.

“As we start the mandatory veteran mini-camp, we were informed by the representatives for Taylor Lewan that he would not be attending the camp," Robinson said in a written statement. "We have had several constructive conversations over the last 5-6 weeks about his contract status. He is currently under contract and we are working to keep Taylor as part of this organization for a long time.”

The Titans drafted Lewan out of Michigan with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 draft. He’s started 53 of 58 regular-season games, including every game the past two seasons and the first 15 games in 2015.

Titans coach Mike Vrabel said his players have the "entire organization's support" to remain in the locker room during the pre-game national anthem.

Jason Wolf, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Until last week, the 6-foot-7, 309-pound Lewan had participated in the team's voluntary offseason workouts since players first reported on April 9.

The Titans can fine Lewan up to $84,435 for skipping all three days of minicamp: $14,070 for Tuesday, $28,150 for Wednesday and $42,215 for Thursday.

"I have a lot of faith in Jon and our organization and the front office, and certainly Taylor's got a situation," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said, "but where we're at, I think Jon pretty much covered it with the statement ...

"We all have a contract. I understand that. Everybody in this building has a contract, and so I understand that there sometimes becomes issues with those, so I think that they're best handled internally, and that's where we'll go."

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“I understand that this is a business, and so if something gets done here that’s great,” Lewan said. “But if not, I understand and that’s how it is. That’s how this game works, so whatever happens, happens.

“If something gets done and both parties are happy, then I think something will get done. If not, then it’s a business. I can’t sit here and say what the future’s going to be. But as of right now, I’m playing on my fifth-year option and I’m going to do my best to make sure that this team is as successful as possible this year, and hopefully continue for this offensive line to take steps forward and try to be the best left tackle I can be.”

Lewan, who turns 27 in July, said he considers himself the best left tackle in the league.

The Giants made Nate Solder, 30, the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL this offseason, signing the former Patriots lineman to a four-year, $62 million contract with $34.8 million guaranteed, an average of $15.5 million per season.

Lewan should approach, if not surpass, those numbers.

“I love Lewan. I respect every decision he makes," outside linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "And one thing about Lewan, whether he's here right now or whether I see him Week 1, he's going to be ready to go. Hopefully they'll get that situated. But that's out of my control. But knowing Lewan, if it gets done Saturday before the game Week 1, he'll be ready to go.”

Vrabel said he didn't speak with Dodd about his decision to remain at home the past three weeks.

"Didn't even ask him. Didn't even talk to him," Vrabel said. "Just asked him to do what we've asked everybody else to do: To come in, to be attentive, to be coachable, to give great effort, to know what to do, and from first glance it looked like he did that. And so we'll take a look at the film and then we'll go from there ..."

Vrabel also addressed whether Dodd is behind the rest of his teammates.

"I think the biggest thing would just be conditioning, and if he knows what to do, if he stayed up on the (playbook) installation, then no. So I can't really tell you from first glance if there were mental errors or if he lined up wrong or that, but again, he was here, he was working, and it was good to have him back."

All other players at practice facility

All players, aside from Lewan, were at the Titans' practice facility, Vrabel said.

Tight end Phillip Supernaw and wide receiver Michael Campanaro were not seen on the field and are apparently dealing with injuries.